Ravindra Jadeja, who announced his retirement from T20Is last month after India’s win in the T20 World Cup 2024 final, is unlikely to get picked in India’s ODI team in the near future. According to reports, the 35-year-old cricketer, who has 2756 runs and 220 wickets to his name in 197 ODIs for India, is part of the selection committee’s plans for the ICC Champions Trophy next year as they are looking at Axar Patel and Washington Sundar for the spin bowling all-rounder’s roles, which is why they were picked ahead of Jadeja for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka as well.
“There are only six ODIs, including the three in Sri Lanka, before next year’s Champions Trophy. The selectors want to utilise the handful of games by giving more opportunities to Axar Patel and Washington Sundar,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying.
According to the source, there is nothing wrong with Jadeja’s performance, but the management wants to look at other young players, keeping the future in mind.
“There’s nothing wrong with Jadeja’s performance. The management just wants to look at other options as we have to build a team for the future,” the source added.
Sundar, who won the Player of the Series award in the recently concluded five-match T20I series between India and Zimbabwe, is seen as Jadeja’s long-term replacement in the Indian team. The 24-year-old star spin bowling all-rounder has played in 19 ODIs so far for India since making his debut in December 2017 and has 18 wickets to his name in addition to scoring 265 runs.
The source added that even though the board is looking past Jadeja in ODIs, he is still an integral member of India’s Test team and will be a key player for the Rohit Sharma-led side in the upcoming World Test Championship matches.
“Jadeja is outstanding in Test cricket. His bowling in home conditions is unmatchable. He will be important for India’s World Test Championship bid,” the source said.
After the tour of Sri Lanka, India will face Bangladesh and New Zealand in two and three Tests, respectively, at home before flying to Australia to take part in a five-match Test series against the Pat Cummins-led side.
